But here’s a disclaimer. I’ve been listening, sifting, sorting, and getting batches of music poised for pruning down to an 80-minute set in a good sequence.

I’ve committed to a couple of solid sets. They are released into the wild with some people enjoying them. Not all, as tastes vary. But that’s the beauty of music–there are artists and styles out there for every person, mood, and situation.

I used to be more attached to the songs I enjoyed and shared. If someone didn’t feel the same interest, I’d try to convince them of merit. No more. I hear, then share, and let people sort it out. Keep it if they like it, pass it on if they don’t.

All that said, got a set to assemble and commit to a disc today!

Through 2010 I made more of an effort to wade through the library of finds and whittle them down to keepers. They start to self select after a while into groups: chill, lively, edgy, electronic, way the hell out there, world, funk, more mainstream friendly rock and pop (for the people who still get comfort from the familiar style they were raised on and can hear on the radio).

Here’s my pledge. One mix a month. I’ll set it up, send it out with the instruction to try it and if you don’t dig it, pass it on to someone who might.

If you’re up for adventure, you could get lost for days! I try to limit myself to hours, although the clock isn’t usually in the forefront of my mind.

The beauty of this is, if your favorite music is what you haven’t heard yet (like me) the journey is endless. And along the way you build a list of a few go to spots that keep delivering great tunes in the niche the blog favors.

Here’s one end-of-year list I look forward to: http://ravensingstheblues.blogspot.com/ … you’ll have to scroll down or click December 2010 archive to get to the bands and songs, depending when you read this.

I’ll pick out and post a few more this weekend. Enjoy!

Always some good ideas to follow. Of course back in the olden days of tune hounding, that meant hand-writing albums onto my paper lists then going downtown to record row on Seymour Street to dig through the bins and hope for the best.

I’d never find them all. But usually I’d gather up a good haul across genres.

But let’s fast forward to the present. I’ll still check a few printed lists. Locally in Vancouver the Georgia Straight has a mix of critics with varied tastes and interesting picks. I should see what’s available from the local dailies. Haven’t read them regularly for so long that I don’t know who the writers are…if they don’t outsource to some non-local folk for economies of scale in the ownership group…and totally miss the local gems that a beat reporter here would know.

My focus will be blogs on the web. People I’ve followed and enjoyed now for years(!) I’ll scan their lists, download some, listen, hit Emusic to dig deeper into bands I like.

Don’t know how much time I’ll spend on it over the New Year’s weekend. But I’ll try to post a few highlights–lists or standout songs.

But to keep it in theme,  I go to one source for old spooky tunes.

http://devildick.blogspot.com/

Dick’s place is full of eclectic music rescued from obscure vinyl. Worth a look if you’re up for surprises and old gems.

He also has a link list that I’ve barely scratched. I need to sleep, earn money, eat and stuff like that. But this is a good place to start.

Pink Flag, Wire’s first album.

Came out during the punk era but set itself apart by the genius of catchy, stripped down songs that lasted only as long as they needed to deliver. No extended compositions and noodling here. Only three songs out of 21 clock in over three minutes.

I can listen to this one over and over, with a smile on my face.

Sometimes that’s a good thing. Fortunately I’ve listened to a lot of great music so my mental library is stocked with good clips.

Last week it was the Pixies from Doolittle, “Here Comes Your Man”. My subconscious telling me it’s time to mine the rest of their catalog?

Saturday it was Wire from Pink Flag, “Three Girl Rhumba”. “Think of a number, divide it by two…” Which leads me to another Deathbed Disc post.

Sunday, and I don’t know where this came from or what it means, the theme song for the Banana Splits kids show from my distant past!

Isn’t the brain a wonderful thing?

Shouldn’t we all be?

But that’s another topic and a different blog…

I played several of the band’s tunes Sunday night. That’s what’s in heavy rotation on my inner soundtrack today. Time to seek a replacement to knock ‘em off!

http://www.youaintnopicasso.com/2009/06/10/video-john-vanderslice-orchestra-play-too-much-time/#more-7345

This one got me. Fun video of a live performance of a catchy tune with a few comments offering a window into the world of creative musicians.

Good job of adding the strings and percussion to a song with a different texture on the recorded version. I prefer the version in the clip. Has more energy and a lightness to it. The other–mp3 on the same linked page-has a more sorrowful, dirge-y vibe.

Check ‘em both out and make up your own mind though.

And the You Ain’t No Picasso blog is a good source of variety to dig into also.

Now I need to find a new sound to push Too Much Time off its pedestal. Or if I’m sticking with the tick idea, touch a match to its butt and burn it out…

Lyrically diverse, beautifully played, sparkling production.

This album caught my ear the first time I heard it in Dennis’ basement not long after release in 1980. He cued up “Tokyo”, let it play, and I was hooked.

I bought a copy within a week and played it, I don’t know how many times, until I had the lyrics memorized.

Now, more than 25 years(!) later, I drop the needle, sit back and enjoy it all. BC threw a lot of stylistically different songs into the mix and somehow it holds together as a package.

Allmusic figures it was the high point of Cockburn’s recordings. Could be. An all-time favourite for me. Click for review.